So funny because I also had the responsibility of the chickens ....we got a new batch every first of the year and raised them, gathered the eggs, free ranged, stepped in poop and processed them in late fall for the freezer...including my favorites.! Got to where I said I would NEVER have chickens as an adult! It took until II was 64 yrs but here I am....with chickens !!!When I was a kid, we had farm chickens that wandered all over and dug around in the piles left by the horses. They were pretty self sufficient. We'd just lock them in at night and let them out in the morning. Oh, and collect the eggs. Any chicks were hatched and raised exclusively by the hens. I liked them, but didn't really get involved with them. Now that I've got my own flock on a much smaller property, I've gotten to know the chickens well and am surprised at how personable they can be. My latent chicken gene was discovered, as was my hubby's and boy's! We are addicted! My latest infatuation is bantam Cochins.Oh, so sweet. If only they laid blue eggs!!
